Ronald Koeman: I would like to continue at Barcelona for many years

Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman spoke to different Catalan media outlets, providing detailed interviews of his ambitions, the gruelling season lying ahead, and his future at the club.

First, he spoke to Mundo Deportivo, analysing the injury woes at the club, new arrivals and a potential renewal but with tough conditions.

“It has always surprised me that Barça, even at their best, did not have a player like Luuk on their squad. I think he is different from other attackers that we have,” began Koeman, about the new signing Luuk de Jong.

He continued, highlighting the lack of attacking depth due to injuries: “Since the beginning of August, I had contact with Luuk de Jong because from the first day I told the club that I like having a player like him on the squad. Knowing the situation, with Agüero, Ansu Fati, Dembélé, and Coutinho injured. There were few attackers.”

“A renewal with conditions? I am always open to listen and stay for more years here, but the power has to come from the coach. And it cannot be that there are doubts because if there are doubts on the table, the coach does not have this power,” Koeman concluded.

Following this, he discussed the exclusions of players like Riqui Puig and Samuel Umtiti, the painful departure of Lionel Messi, his relationship with president Joan Laporta and his desire to stay at Barcelona with SPORT.

“I would like to continue here for many more years and be the coach of the new generation of young footballers at the club,” began Koeman.

About the talented youth at the club, he said: “I think that thanks to our decisions, coach and technical staff, Barça have young players (Pedri, Fati, Gavi, etc…) with a huge immediate future and hopefully in three, four or five years I can continue to be their coach.”

“I was screwed with Messi’s departure. That’s the word. I guess like any culé. I knew the club’s problems with financial fair play, but I always hoped that he would end his career here. It has been a sad ending in every way,” Koeman continued, adding that he will be sorely missed.

Adding to that, he said: “To me, Laporta’s words appeared perfect. It’s time to turn the page.”

On Laporta’s relationship with him, he said: “I like having a president who likes to talk with the players, who comes to training sessions. I like talking with him, but it is true that some conversations have to remain in the private sphere.

“There were difficult moments, the one at the end of last season and the one last week. I have a good relationship with the president. We all want the same thing, for Barça to triumph. We know that it is a difficult time for many things, but we are moving forward,” he said.

He then reiterated that the injury situations are complicated with Ansu Fati, Sergio Aguero and also highlighted the issues caused by Messi and Antoine Griezmann’s departure. He did state that he is excited for Fati’s return but will not rush him.

Koeman also stated that Depay will mark a new and exciting era at Barcelona with his tremendous quality and personality.

“Above everything, I am a man of the club. I think about Barça before myself,” Koeman concluded, looking ahead with optimism and confidence about ushering the team to new heights.